Prologue
Aemon Targaryen was getting old and as with old age came wisdom along with a lack of strength and time but he was sure he had enough of all three to correct the mistakes in the case of his great grandnephew Daemon Targaryen.
Daemon Targaryen, the Black Dragon, they called him, said it was because of his hair but Aemon was no fool and nor was Daemon. He remembered the names of those who said it he would pay them back when the time comes.
Born to Rhaegar Targaryen, the first of his name, and Lyanna Stark his second wife, Daemon Targaryen was both hated and loved throughout the seven kingdoms.
While the Westerlands and Dorne called him the reason for the war, the North and the Vale were ready to go to war for the boy again. The Stormlands were well still recovering and because of the multiple restrictions on them it didn't seem like they would recover any time soon. The Reach as usual played no part and stayed on the fence.
There was no such thing as the Riverlands anymore. Half of the region was joined into the Crownlands, including Harrenhal, while the other half was given to the Westerlands for their support of the crown during the Rebellion. Stone Hedge and Red Fork were considered to cut the lands in half to be given to their new liege's.
Robert's Rebellion, they might have called it but it was really the North that drove Robert Baratheon's forces through the country. There was no divide in loyalties in the North. Wherever the Starks go the North follows.
The Rebellion had waged on for almost a year before the Battle of the Trident. Rhaegar after having been brought back from the Tower of Joy by Gerold Hightower, left from King's Landing with the force of the Crowlands and the loyalist forces with Jon Connington, Barristan Selmy, Lewyn Martell and Jamie Lannister by his side while Jonothor Darry had stayed back to guard the King and Queen and the royal family.
While Arthur Dayne and Oswell Whent stood guard at the Tower of Joy, Gerold Hightower left for Storm's End to ask Randall Tarly, Mathis Rowan and his nephew Leyton Hightower to march for the King and they did.
Having heard of how his son was now going off to war, Tywin Lannister was forced to stir from his slumber under the Rock. He marched fast and hard to join the Loyalist forces to save his son.
Jamie Lannister, Rebel Killer, he was called, as he ended not one not two but three rebellions with his own sword, having taken Robert Baratheon's life on the Battlefield during the Battle of the Trident.
Tywin Lannister's forces had crushed the North while Dornish forces held off against the Vale without breaking until Randall Tarly had arrived and changed the tide of the battle. Lewyn Martell the unbreakable he was called from that day as his flank held without breaking against the onslaught of the Vale.
Rhaegar had crushed whatever was left of the Riverlands and the Stormlands killing Hoster Tully in the process.
After the Battle was done and the North knew the truth of what was between Rhaegar and Lyanna they marched to put an end to the Mad King's Tyranny only to find him dead in his bed his heart having given out.
In a scant few days Rhaegar was crowned king of the seven Kingdoms while Ned Stark had left for the Tower of Joy to get his sister and nephew back only to return with one of them.
Named Daemon Targaryen by the She Wolf of Winterfell who died of a fever, as a babe Daemon was quiet yet curious. Aemon had arrived to take on the role of the Grand Maester after Pycelle was sent back to Citadel to become an Arch Maester.
It had been quiet clear from the start that Rhaegar wanted the boy close yet not close enough to let him be his son rather even a prince.
Isolated from the rest of the Targaryen family even Daenerys Targaryen the youngest daughter of the Mad King and the Queen Mother Rhaella who passed away on the birthing bed.
The Children were poisoned to stay away from the poor child who was not responsible for the sins of his father or mother.
The Martells had their hold on both the Crown Prince and the Princess Rhaenys keeping them away from the Wolf Bastard as they called him while the Yelena Velaryon one of the Queen Mother's oldest friends whispered poisonous words in the ear of the young girl Daenerys.
It had taken the Velaryons time to find themselves back in the good graces of the Crown. It had been barely an year after Robert's Rebellion when Lucerys tried to crown Viserys Targaryen Rhaegar's younger brother as King in hopes of being Hand of the King and to fulfil the Mad King's last wish as he called it.
The Rebellion had all the crownlands and houses of the Narrow Sea come together and the Rebellion ended with Jamie Lannister killing the fool Lucerys who tried to do something Viserys Targaryen didn't want.
Viserys Targaryen was probably the only real friend his great grandnephew had. His favourite uncle (since he didn't know the other three), Viserys was the only thing between Deamon being completely neglected and left to rot.
The young man fought tooth and nail for his nephew to have everything Aegon, Rhaenys and Daenerys did.
Along with Jamie Lannister who guarded Daemon and Bryden Tully (part of the Dragon Guard that guarded the extended Royal family, while the Kings Guard took to guarding the King, Queen and the heir spare and Princess), Daemon thought the world of them and the stories they told him along with Ser Arthur Dayne and Ser Oswell Whent about his mother and father.
This sort of innocence was short lived until he meet the Prince Oberyn his daughters and his niece. While the Princess didn't say much the Sand Snakes and the Red Viper said exactly what Aemon hoped Daemon never heard.
It had broken the young boy but he had come back from it stronger. He took to reading, writing, drawing, sword fighting or just about anything else with a single-minded focus and dedication that delighted Aemon.
He knew Rhaegar cared for the boy but it was all deep covered by the layers of regret and self-loathing.
The third and final rebellion Jamie Lannister had ended was in Dorne when Rhaegar had sent him and a good number of his personal guard to finish off the Yronwoods who were planning some sort of rebellion against Daemon in hopes of finishing of the Martells and take control of Drone.
Daemon while dedicated to his studies and duties still enjoyed life with his uncle at his side or did so until his bethroal to the now widow Cersei Lannister was announced.
Having been given the Castle of Harrenhal, that was reconstruct, Viserys was expected to rule over the extended Crownlands along with the King.
It had been a sad day and really the first time in almost four years since that day Daemon had met the Martell that he had cried. He had begged his uncle to not go forcing Viserys to tears but the both of them had duties and they parted.
It had barely been a moon since the marriage happened that the plotting started, Jon Connington, who had always hated Daemon, had planned to have the young boy executed along with the Starks and Baratheons with a scheme and some fabricated letters.
He was caught before he could put his plans in motion and executed.
Now needing a New Hand Rhaegar had called Tywin Lannister to take the position along with Varys the Master of Whispers, Monford Velaryon the Master of Ships, Randall Tarly the Master of Laws, Obery Martell the Master of Trade, Mace Tyrell the Master of Coin, Ser Barristan Slemy the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, Ser Richard Lonmouth Lord Commander of the Dragon Guard and Aemon himself as Grand Maester.
He was heading to a meeting now his eye sight was failing him now and he was having to get familiar with the place to be able to move without help. Daemon had offered to help him there, but he sent the boy off to Marwyn to do whatever it was that those got upto.
Being a Targaryen, he had his own Dragon Guard in the form of Sandor Clegane who was following him.
Daemon had the oddest friendship with the man never letting anyone call him the Hound lest they face his wrath. Sandor Clegane returned this affection, no one dared to call Daemon anything other then the prince he was lest they face his wrath.
But none of that mattered right now. Because Aemon had something important to do and he would do it. No matter the cost. It was time his nephew left this god forsaken shit stinking city before he became a pawn or a player.